Dr. Sean McCance - NYC Orthopedic Spine Surgeons' Blog

Paralyzed Rutgers Football Player Eric LeGrand’s Inspiring Story of Recovery

Former Rutgers defensive tackle Eric LeGrand was paralyzed from the neck down after a spinal cord injury during a 2010 football game. I want to share with you his inspiring story of recovery. Paralysis is a condition that affects 5.6 million people, many of whom are able to achieve fulfilling and active lives. Eric has recently finished his college degree in labor studies, a huge milestone in his recovery. At the time of his injury, LeGrand was 60 credits short of graduation. He began attending one class at a time via Skype as soon as he was able, leading to his eventual completion, after six years, of all necessary credits in order to graduate. Working around his paralysis, LeGrand also used a stylus on a tablet with his mouth as well as the iOS voice recognition app Siri to transfer his thoughts into the written word for class assignments. “It feels good,” said LeGrand after turning in his last paper. “It shows that anything is truly possible.” He plans to be present for graduation ceremonies in May with the rest of the class of 2014. Since the fateful game, LeGrand has been attending rehabilitation therapy for several hours each weekday,

January 28, 2014

Can’t Sleep? Perhaps it’s Your Back

Many patients come to me concerned about waking up with back pain caused by a “bad mattress” or uncomfortable sleeping position. This is often indicative of an underlying disk problem or arthritic condition. Even those without a spinal diagnosis or chronic pain can experience an achy back or neck after a night of sleep. What’s worse is that a lack of sleep can actually cause more sensitivity to pain and make mild back pain feel more severe. In general, we recommend a firm mattress with a pillow-top cushion layer for comfort. Back pain from sleeping is caused when strain is put on the spine in one position for a prolonged period of time – most often felt in the lower back. When this occurs, getting out of bed in the morning can be very painful, especially for the first 30 minutes until things loosen up. How can you avoid this pain? Simple adjustments to your sleeping positions can help make a difference. Side Sleepers The most common sleeping position for adults is on your side with your hips aligned and legs slightly bent. However, as we sleep, the unsupported top leg tends to fall and rotate the lower spine.

January 21, 2014

Five Healthy New Year Tips

As the New Year begins and my patients are getting back into their routines, I’ve heard a number of healthy living resolutions for 2014. From cutting out junk food to making it to the gym every morning, my patients are focused on living their most healthy 2014. Resolutions can be difficult to stick to, but I wanted to show you five easy ways to change your habits for a happier and healthier new year. Sit tall.Whether you’re sitting at your desk, on a plane, or in the car, proper posture can help reduce strain on your back and minimize unnecessary pain. How do you check for proper posture? With your buttocks at the back of the chair and weight evenly distributed between both hips, sit tall and relax your shoulders. If needed, get a “lumbar support” type pillow for your chair. Set a timer to check in on your posture every thirty minutes, as slouching and poor posture can sneak up on you. Take ten. Many friends and patients have resolved to exercise more this year. As a doctor, I know well the benefits that exercise can have , especially how strengthening your core can improve spine health. But I

January 17, 2014

Preventing Winter Sports Injuries

With the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics just around the corner and the recent heavy snowfall on the East Coast, it’s certain that many people are engaging in all types of outdoor winter activities. From skiing and snowboarding to ice skating and sledding, the wintertime can help make wonderful memories with friends and family. Unfortunately, these activities can also carry the risk of injury – note the recent, tragic example of Formula 1 racer Michael Schumacher, who suffered brain injury when he fell and struck a rock while skiing. He was wearing a helmet, but currently remains in a medically induced coma. It’s important amidst the snowy fun to take safety precautions to prevent winter sports injuries. During the winter season each year, more than 150,000 injuries occur on average from skiing, snowboarding, and sledding accidents. Fans of cold-weather outdoor activities must keep in mind the issue of safety and the possibility of injury. If it’s slippery, you may be prone to falling – and believe it or not, there is a “right” way to fall. Whether you’re on the sidewalk or subway stairs, try to take control of your fall by remaining on an angle and tucking your head.

January 7, 2014

How to Shovel Snow Safely This Winter

With winter upon us in New York City, many of us will be tasked with shoveling snow at some point during the season. Please exercise caution, as snow shoveling is one of the more common causes of back injuries during the winter. This is because most people rarely do this kind of physical work on a regular basis. When shoveling snow, it’s important to follow a few common-sense precautions and techniques to prevent injury and low back pain. To ensure efficiency and safety, there is a proper way to shovel snow. First and foremost, it’s best to use the proper tools. Keep snow as well as injuries at bay by using an ergonomic show shovel. Shovels should have a curved handle and be the proper length to prevent bending of the knees and/or arching of the back. The shovel should be light to ensure the amount of weight you’re moving repetitively is kept to a minimum. I also recommend moving small amounts in each shovelful. If possible, shoveling in this way, over a slightly longer period of time, will lessen the strain and pressure on the lower back and legs. Even if you are unable to find a shovel that

December 10, 2013

Perfect Gifts for Back Pain Sufferers

With the holidays just around the corner, I thought I’d take a moment to share some of the best gifts for the loved ones in your life who unfortunately suffer from back pain. Give the gift of comfort this season and encourage your friends and family to keep their backs healthy and strong. Backjoy is an easily transportable seat that you can use in the car, in the office, on a plane, and anywhere else you find yourself sitting down. The ergonomic design makes sitting more comfortable and offers long-lasting consistent support. The patented innovative design comes in a variety of colors, so you can select the perfect one for your friends and family. (Backjoy.com, $39.99) Barefooters are made in Italy out of an eco-friendly, naturally antimicrobial material called Corksilite (cork and silicone), and come in muted, organic colors that keep the cork pattern visible. The patented reflexology massage footbed coupled with the fitted shell that matches the shape of the foot makes for a great-feeling experience perfect for post-workout recovery and increasing circulation to the legs and feet. (Amazon, PlanetShoes.com, Shoebuy.com, Footsmart.com, prices vary by style) BOSU: Consider the BOSU training device for friends and family that want to

December 3, 2013

Do Flat Feet Cause Back Pain?

In a recent study, researchers found that women who have flat feet, a common condition, are 50 percent more likely to have pain in their lower back as opposed to those with normal or high arches. This study is the first of its kind to make a significant connection between low back pain and flat feet. Published in the journal Rheumatology, the study examined both men and women, measuring each subject’s arch in the standing position and how pressure was distributed on the foot while walking. To confirm and expand the findings, future studies will likely follow participants with different types of arches for a significant period of time, and will attempt to determine what effect interventions such as orthotics may have on the development of back pain. So why are women more affected by walking with flat feet than men? Marian Hannan, senior author of the study, and her team were not able to determine exact causes but suggested a few possible reasons. For example, pelvic bones in women are wider than and not as flexible as those in men, and women tend to rotate their hips and move their upper bodies more as they walk.

November 19, 2013

Understanding Adult-Onset Scoliosis

Contrary to popular knowledge, scoliosis does not exclusively affect adolescents. Many people experience scoliosis for the first time as older adults, and in a recent New York Times Well Blog post, long-time health journalist Jane Brody shared her own experience with this condition. Also known as degenerative scoliosis, this condition occurs most frequently in people over 65. In a study by orthopedists at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, 68 percent of healthy volunteers over age 60 had spinal deformities that met the definition of scoliosis. Degenerative scoliosis is caused by a gradual deterioration of the disks and facet joints. This is the same process that can lead to osteoarthritis and stenosis of the spine, but causes the spine to curve to one side. In Brody’s experience, she and her son were out on a hike when he noticed that her hips were uneven. Getting shorter and visible signs of a postural imbalance are key indicators that something may be wrong. Pain from adult scoliosis usually begins in the lower back due to the degeneration and curvature. In order to properly diagnose the condition, a Spine Specialist will perform a physical exam, do a detailed neurological exam ,

November 12, 2013

James Levine’s Recovery and Return to the Stage

On a recent episode of Charlie Rose, James Levine, Musical Director of the Metropolitan Opera, spoke about his return to conducting after a two-year absence. Following multiple health issues, most recently a fall that damaged a vertebra which left him with no feeling in his legs, he now conducts from a motorized wheelchair. It was back in March that he made his debut – and received a standing ovation due to his remarkable recovery. Levine, 70, has worked with the Met since 1971, and during that time he has unfortunately experienced multiple health issues, including surgery in 2009 and again in 2010 to repair a herniated disk in his back. Following his recent fall, he went through intensive therapy that helped him to develop feeling and eventually to walk again. According to the Huffington Post, his doctors are ‘hopeful for a complete recovery.’ What Mr. Levine has accomplished in his recovery is remarkable. While I’m not his doctor, I can confirm that paralysis is often experienced due to an injury in the spinal cord, often from a crushed vertebra or disc. The spinal cord normally carries nerve impulses, but in people who are paralyzed, the nerve cells do not function

October 29, 2013

New Study Shows Back Braces Effective in Scoliosis Treatment

In a recent study published by The New England Journal of Medicine, researchers found that despite some controversy, bracing adolescents with scoliosis can work to prevent the need for surgery. This study is especially noteworthy since physicians, including myself, have recommended bracing for decades – but to date, there has been controversy about effectiveness. Scoliosis is defined as a curvature in the normally straight spine. This condition occurs primarily in adolescents; approximately three percent of Americans at age 16 have scoliosis, usually girls. Scoliosis is diagnosed by physical exam and x-ray to measure the degree of the curve. For curves between 25-40 degrees, doctors typically recommend braces. For more severe curves, spinal fusion surgery is recommended to prevent larger problems down the road. In the NEJM study, researchers studied data of 242 patients at 25 locations in the US and Canada aged 10 to 15 with a spinal curvature of 20 to 40 degrees. The trial was stopped early due to the clear benefit of bracing: the rate of treatment success was 72 percent versus 48 percent in the control group of children who simply remained under observation. The study scientifically affirms that brace treatment works for adolescents with scoliosis

October 22, 2013

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